Marselina Irasonia Tan, PhD

Visiting Scientist
Ph.D. - Institut fur Molekulare Medizin, Medizinische Universitat zu Lubeck, Germany, 1998
M.S. - Biology, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia, 1990
B.A. Biology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, 1986
B.A. - Biology, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia, 1986

Research Focus

The role of G protein-coupled receptor 55 (GPR55) in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer. It has been reported that GPR55 is expressed in fatty breast tissue, testis, spleen, osteoclasts and some areas of the brain. In those tissues, GPR55 has a function in increasing intracellular calcium, modulating breast cancer cell migration, orientation and polarization, and inhibiting bone resorption by osteoclasts. GPR55 has many ligands including, LPI (L-α-Lysophospatidilinositol), which is found abundantly in ovarian cancer patient’s serum. LPI was also reported to have a mitogenic effect and is suspected to play a role in tumor development.